University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

This programme combines core anthropological theory and research methods with specialised coursework in organisational analysis. Typical course themes include ethnographic methods, qualitative data analysis, organisational culture and change, political economy, applied anthropology, and the anthropology of work and institutions. Students engage with both theoretical debates (e.g. power, identity, bureaucracy) and practical topics such as stakeholder analysis, evaluation, and the design of people-centred services.

Teaching methods emphasise close faculty supervision, seminar discussion, practicum-style projects and independent field research. Students normally complete a substantial research project or thesis that applies ethnographic methods to a workplace, community organisation, government agency or business. Elective options often draw on the department’s strengths in Pacific and Indigenous studies, medical anthropology, and visual and material culture.

Entry requirements

• A good undergraduate degree in anthropology or a closely related discipline (for example sociology, social science, cultural studies, business with social science content).
• Academic transcripts demonstrating strong performance in relevant coursework.
• A statement of purpose outlining research interests and how they relate to organisational anthropology.
• Curriculum vitae or résumé summarising academic and relevant professional experience.
• Two or three academic or professional references who can speak to your preparation for graduate study.
• Depending on the applicant’s background, the department may expect evidence of research experience or coursework in qualitative methods; applicants without a prior anthropology degree are typically admitted with the expectation they will take foundational modules.
• Applicants for whom English is not a first language must demonstrate proficiency in English through an approved test or other institutional measures.

Career prospects

Graduates apply anthropological skills in a wide range of careers. Common pathways include organisational development and change management, human resources, user experience and market research, evaluation and monitoring for NGOs and international agencies, and roles in government policy and community engagement. Many alumni work as consultants who use ethnography to support product design, customer insight and workplace transformation. The degree also provides solid preparation for doctoral study in anthropology or related social sciences.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

The University of Hawaii at Manoa is located in a region with distinctive cultural diversity and long-standing traditions of community-based knowledge, which enriches fieldwork and comparative research on organisations and institutions. The Anthropology Department is known for strengths in Pacific and Indigenous studies, medical and applied anthropology, and qualitative methods—resources that students in organisational anthropology can draw on for interdisciplinary perspectives. Proximity to local government agencies, NGOs and regional businesses offers opportunities for practicum placements and collaborative projects, while a small graduate cohort fosters close mentoring and peer support.